Oops

Oops, forgot to show off what I received from Sandy in the swap organised by Jenny of Elefantz and Vicki of Tozz's Corner. We were all required to send 2 fat quarters, trim and a button to our partner - nothing to make, no stress except wondering if our partner would like what we had chosen. It was a great swap for this busy time of year and I hope they do it again.
Here's what Sandy sent me - 3 fat quarters (isn't she so generous - the one at the front is from the Figgy Pudding range; it's the first piece of this range I have ever seen and I'm smitten!) a gorgeous little Christmas stocking button and a blue and silver drawstring bag containing Christmas bells and silver ric-rac. I'm so lucky! Thank you so much, Sandy.


In my haste to post Sandy's parcel, I forgot to take a pic of what I sent her - fortunately, I've been able to 'borrow' the photo she put on her blog. Nice, eh? love that little dove button; hope there's another one left in the shop just for me!

One swap after another

Last night was the opening night of my online craft group's latest swap, a journal/diary cover. Lots of variety, lots of oohs and aahs over the internet during our chat (we are spread out from Tasmania to Queensland and many of us have never met).
This is what I made for Teresa:

















and this is what Tereasa no, not a mis-spelling - different person) made for me:
It was so gorgeously wrapped up I couldn't resist taking a piccie:

And this is the parcel I sent to Simona in Italy for the Stitchers' Angel swap - sent late because I was sick for a while, and now received with thanks. As you can see, orange is her favourite colour - but she also told me she likes yellow and green and didn't mind surprises. Thought I'd play it safe, just in case. I'd made the diary for her before I got sick, and already had a spare stitcher's pouch I'd made a while back (phew!). I've made lots of these; they're handy little homes for some pins and needles, a few skeins of threads, little scissors and maybe a thimble. Jenny of Elefantz (love her designs) designed the bookmark - a freebie pattern - which was a last-minute whip-up, as was the magnet (fittings from Spotlight, fabric from my messy stash).
One more swap to go this year for our online craft group - a Secret Santa pressies swap - and after being non-stitchy for a while, I got the itch to stitch and just have a few finishing touches to go. Yay! Now if only I was smart enough to get posts with multiple pics looking tidy, as everyone else's does...

Swaps - and sew on

After being stricken (yep, I think the word is appropriate and not overly dramatic, given I really was laid low for a while) with pneumonia, I'm back in the real world and nearly as good as new. Back enjoying life, reading, sunny days, my garden, good company. Back to work (and glad to be there - I'm sure that will wear off!) and back to simple sewing - which is great, given I have a few projects to complete. Nothing to show and tell right now (my Stitcher's Angel partner has probably not received her parcel yet and my partner and I in the Christmas fat quarter swap organised by Jenny from Elefantz and Vicki from Tozz's Corner have also swapped blog addresses, so better not show what I'm sending her. Hi, Sandy!
But because a picture is worth a thousand words (and pretties up a post very nicely), I do have a few to share.


This is my Stitchers' Angel gift from Dolores in Canada - an apron, thread basket, shopping list pad, magnets, threads and a lovely handmade card. There was also a gorgeous hand-made bookmark cross-stitched with a rosebud and my initials. Unfortunately, after spending ages this morning transferring photos I accidentally deleted that pic - twit!












And this is the first Oriental poppy bloom of the season in my garden. The plant looked quite dejected last year and no wonder - the dogs kept lying on it. Now it's all lush green leaves and big red flowers.










And this iris makes me feel so cool on our hot days. I have blue and yellow irises too, along with masses of roses, dianthus and all sorts of other goodies; it's a lovely (and fragrant) time in the garden.